TRAUMATIC DIAPHRAGMATIC-HERNIA PRESENTING AS AN INTERCOSTAL HERNIA - CASE-REPORT

Intercostal hernias are rarely reported in the literature. We report a case of intercostal hernia secondary to a ruptured right hemidiaphrag m and fracturedcostal margin caused by blunt trauma. The patient was v entilated at initial hospitalization because of rib fractures and adva nced age, and the intercostal hernia was not evident. After physical r ehabilitation treatment elsewhere, a painful chest wall bulge develope d. A chest film and computed tomographic scan revealed the hernia. Sur gery with a thoraco-abdominal incision in the line of the hernia allow ed reduction of the hernial contents.